REVIEW: Vain by Fisher Amelie

Book Summary

If you’re looking for a story about a good, humble girl, who’s been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, only to find out she’s not as vulnerable as she thought she was and discovers an empowering side of herself that falls in love with the guy who helps her find that self, blah, blah, blah...then you’re gonna’ hate my story.

Because mine is not the story you read every time you bend back the cover of the latest trend novel. It’s not the “I can do anything, now that I’ve found you/I’m misunderstood but one day you’ll find me irresistible because of it” tale. Why? Because, if I was being honest with you, I’m a complete witch. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a friend using, drug abusing, sex addict from Los Angeles. I’m every girlfriend’s worst nightmare and every boy’s fantasy.

I’m Sophie Price...And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most envied girl to the girl no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Sophie is a pretty shitty person. She uses everyone around her and only cares about herself. She lives an uninhabited life and doesn’t care who she has to stomp on to get her next high or low. When a night of partying turns into a disaster Sophie is not ready for what’s coming next. Fed up with their daughter’s reputation and antics, Sophie’s parents decide to ship her off to Africa. A journey that changes everything within the course of a few months. Her new home is not posh and wonderful like LA, and partying is not an option. With the guidance of her new bosses, her new job, and Ian, Sophie soon realizes that she is the creator of her destiny.

Africa is not anything like LA. There is poverty but there is also a group of malicious humans that murder women and their young. Sophie must come to terms with her new world and learn to accept that her life is changing. No longer does she crave her old life. She lives for waking up to the laughs of her students, the warmness of her peers, and a man that shows her just how much she deserves to be loved.

This leads me to the romance in the book. Three words, it was wonderful. I enjoyed the building relationship between Sophie and Ian and loved the tension at the beginning. I found Ian to be pretty incredible and his decision to stick with Sophie was really kind. There were moments where these two were frustrating but they didn’t outweigh the moments where their love and friendship blossomed.

I can’t say enough how much this book captivated me. To be able to have a small peek into the real world problems in Uganda was heartbreaking but eye-opening. The struggle and the realness of this story had me turning page after page and ignoring everything around me. It focused on real issues, had characters you connected with, as well as a wonderful love story imbedded into its pages.

You should pick up this book and expect to tune out the world as your delve into Sophie’s journey.

HAPPY READING!

Thomas & January by Fisher Amelie

Book Description:

Thomas Eriksson thinks he has it all figured out.
"People crossed the street when they saw me. I’m not really sure why that was. I mean, okay, I might have looked a bit intimidating if I was being truthful with you. I’d changed since New York. New York represented a life that wasn’t real, not truthfully, anyway. No, New York was the “young, immature, in love, idiot" side of Tom. The “Tie-Dye Tom of New York City” didn’t exist anymore. Tie-Dye Tom was dead."
January Mac Lochlainn thinks she’s her own worst enemy.
"I quit Berkeley. Threw away a full scholarship. Plans, you ask? What plans?"
But they’re both wrong.

Christina's BookReview

“Discover why you’re important, then refuse to settle for anyone who doesn’t completely agree.”

Thomas Eriksson also known at "Tie-Dye Tom" isn't the same guy we met in Callum & Harper. Since realizing his feelings for his friend Kelly and being shutdown he just isn't himself. Running away from New York city and immersing himself in his new career is the best way to get over it. But how wrong her turns out to be...

January MacLochlainn is tired of attending Berkley just to make her parent happy. After dropping out she is offered the chance of a lifetime. Being able to help discover musical talents is a dream come true. Even if it comes with an arrogant jerk who dishes out the most tasteful kisses.

When January walks into Tom's life he isn't prepared for the feelings she entices him. He has already been through the runner. He isn't about to be stupid enough to even fathom going through it again. But January just isn't going away. Mentally of physically. When the two are forced to work together on helping Tom get a promotion they have to finally face the truth. They are quickly and madly falling for each other.

I want to say that I loved this book. I want to say that it was just what i expected. Sadly, it wasn't. I loved the storyline in Callum & Harper but didn't expect this story to be the same and it wasn't. What I did expect though was for it to have the same character depth. It didn't.

Don't get me wrong. It started off strong but then turned boring then got a little better at the very end. I loved the bickering between January and Thomas and found myself laughing hysterically at it but then Tom quickly lose all his bitterness and it got boring and a little cheesy. I loved being able to read a little about the New York gang and that they were still a tight knit family.

Great storyline. Good start but not so great of an execution.
All this is not to say that I won't continue reading any Fisher Amelie writes because that is far from the truth. She has a gift for writing real life heartfelt stories and I will continue to read anything she publishes.

If you want a light quick read, pick up Thomas & January. If you want to read something like Callum & Harper, this might not be it. 

Review for Book #1-Callum & Harper HERE

Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelie

Book Description:

Life sucks for orphans Callum Tate and Harper Bailey.

Kicked out of their foster homes because they suffer the 'eighteen disease' with nothing but a hundred dollar check from the government and a pat on the back, they're forced to rely on a system that failed them miserably.

So they sit. They sit inside Social Services, waiting for their social workers to call their names and offer them the miracle they know will never come but they sit anyway because they have nowhere else to go, no other options on their very literal and figurative empty plates.

But as they sit, they notice the other. Although captivated, they each come to the conclusion that life is complicated enough without throwing in a boiling tension that can't ever be acted upon because they're both too busy thinking about where their next meal will come from but when their names are called and both are placed on a year long waiting list for permanent housing, suddenly relying on each other seems like a very viable plan B.

And, oh, how lovely Plan B's can be.

Well, except for the psycho from Harper's past that haunts her and, oh, yeah, there's the little issue that neither of them knows they're in love with the other.

Needless to say, Callum & Harper's life just got a bit more complicated.

Christina's BookReview

“I have nothing to give anyone, really. It’s the one gift I can give that has any kind of value. It makes me feel worthy.”

Let me start off by saying that this book was a great read!

Callum Tate and Harper Bailey are both struggling through life. After years of being shuffled around in foster care, they are both finally "released" from the foster care system. When an encounter at the social service office throws them together, Callum and Harper aren't prepared for what they are thrown with.As they struggle to make the best of their situation the connection between them hits new levels. But can they both let go of their past and insecurities and learn to trust each other? Can they both make it out of their situation alive?

With the help of Callum's amazing friends and their strength, Callum and Harper meet their battles head on.

The best part was seeing two people that were dealt an awful hand come together and turn it around. Although they made me want to wring their necks at time for all the misunderstandings, Callum and Harper were two souls scared of opening up entirely to each other. I loved how Callum was protective of Harper and how his friends were truly his family. I loved that he strived for his dream and that he gave Harper something to strive for as well. He was a perfect, no only swoon worthy character but also a perfect guy!

Callum and Harper is a story of how life can throw you many kinks in the road and you can find the strength in you to win the battle with the love and support of the people that surround you.

The only reason this got 4 stars was because at times the story dragged and a few things were repetitive. Other then that it was a great story. If you haven't read it do yourself a favor and do! 

 

Review for Book #2-Thomas & January HERE